Value Stream Analysis

Lean is applied within time and space. That's where we "live" and add value, or not.

Mapping, whether it's process mapping or value stream mapping can be powerful stuff. It should be a familiar and trusted weapon within your continuous improvement arsenal.

Let’s set the stage. The team has just completed what many call a flow kaizen – in which the focus is the flow of materials, patients, customers, etc. and information.

Recently, someone shared that a multi-national company with a  good Lean pedigree was looking to rationalize their facilities so that each facility served only market "A" or market "B," but not both, like many do now.  This makes very little sense, especially in light of the fact that th